1. business and industrial
2. construction

Soundproofing Home
Theaters & Media Rooms
Recording studios, rehearsal spaces, jam rooms,
professional production, editing & postproduction
suites
Theater design & rendering: Keith Yates Design Group www.keithyates.com
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
The Goal
“I want a home theater that is my own private world – I don’t want to disturb other
people at home (or neighbors), and I don’t want outside noise to disturb my movieviewing pleasure.”
The Problems
•
Your family members or neighbors complain when you listen to movies and music
at what you consider to be “normal theatrical levels” (outbound noise)
•
You can hear street noise, or the upstairs/next door neighbors, etc) while in your
home theater (inbound noise)
•
You want all inside noise to disappear acoustically – the TV in the next room, family
members talking, laughing, shouting, the garage door opener, the doorbell, junior’s
boom box, high heels walking on hardwood floor, toilet flushing.
•
You want all outside noises to disappear acoustically - road traffic, jack hammers,
airplanes, barking dogs, arguing neighbors, cars with oversize boom boxes, city
buses, freight rains, garbage trucks.
•
You want your audio systems to sound like it cost you 2x as much as it really did.
•
You don’t want to field any more complaints from the neighbors upstairs,
downstairs or next door.
•
You want to use standard construction techniques to keep cost and risk to a
minimum.
This paper is organized to help you get a handle on these common problems and
complaints. In five steps, you’ll learn:
1.
What STC Rating Do I Want to Achieve?
2.
Old Approaches & New Solutions
3.
The Quiet Solution Home Theater
4.
System
5.
Methods to achieve the STC Rating You Want
6.
How to Apply Quiet Solution Products
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
1. What STC Rating Do I Want To Achieve?
The fundamental question you’ll answer for yourself is “what STC rating do I want for
my home theater, and how do I get it?” The decision begins with understanding STC
Ratings.
STC (Sound Transmission Class) is the standard rating that describes the sound
reduction of a wall or ceiling, and is universally used by architects, designers,
manufacturers, contractors and distributors of acoustic building products. The higher
the STC rating, the greater the sound reduction of the acoustic barrier.
STC is essentially the average dB loss through a barrier across a range of frequencies
(from about 125Hz to 4000 Hz). An STC rating corresponds closely to the average
difference, measured in dB, produced by a sound barrier material, between the sound in
one area and the sound in an adjacent area. For example here are some common
noises:
STC needed to
produce quiet
Subjective Impression
Typical Sounds
dB
Very quiet
Breathing
10
Whispering
20
Quiet library
30
Quiet home
40
0
General office building interior
50
10
Normal Conversation at 3'-5'
60
20
Pleasantly quiet
Normal noise level
Vacuum cleaner
Bus idling
70
30
Noisy office; typical factory interior
Loud noise level
Rail car
80
Home theater, normal operation
40
Male Scream at 6'
Diesel locomotive
90
Home theater, loud sequences
50
Near a jackhammer
Car going around curve squeal
100
60
Rock concert speakers
110
70
Near a jet engine
120
80
Cannon explosion
140
100
Locomotive horn
Home theaters, full blast
Hearing loss if sustained
Pain threshold
Source: Charles M. Salter & Associates, ACOUSTICS, 1976
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
A quality home theater can produce sounds as loud as 100dB to 110dB. A typical “quiet
room” is around 40dB. So to have a quiet room at 40dB adjacent to a loud home theater
with a dB of 100, a wall would have to be rated with an STC of 60
(100 – 40 = 60).
Typical existing wall construction (the most common method is stud construction with
drywall on either side) has an STC rating of 30 to 34. A room built with standard
construction walls adjacent to the home theater would have sound levels at 70dB (100 –
30 = 70), which is too loud for conversation. However, with a wall built to an STC of 60,
the adjacent room would have sound levels of 40dB, about as quiet as a library.
Based on a scenario of a your home theater emitting peaks of 100dB, the table below
shows the Sound Transmission Class (STC) target values of partitions needed between
the home theater and the adjoining rooms to keep everyone happy. Conversely, you can
read the table as the STC needed to keep the Home Theatre occupants from hearing
outside noises like jackhammers.
The three levels shown below are achievable targets. Each one dictates a different
construction method, and hence budget. It’s perfectly reasonable to shoot for
intermediate target STCs, such as 55-60. Achieving an STC of 70 is world class.
Home theater
subjective evaluation
Benchmark - no special soundproofing
Target STC for home theater
wall/ceiling/floor (in dB)
Achieves these results in
adjacent Rooms (in dB)
34
66
“Acceptable” soundproofing
45
55
“Very Good” soundproofing
55
45
“Superb” soundproofing
65
35
Three Levels
*Assumes home theater produces sounds of 100dBA and the adjacent room target is 30dBA
In the next section, you’ll learn about conventional “old school” soundproofing
approaches and about the new method (viscoelastic damping).
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
2. Old Approaches & New Solutions
There are two basic approaches to reducing noise: sound barriers and sound absorbers.
Sound barriers reduce sound transmission from one space to another. Traditional sound
barriers follow Mass Law, which states that the heavier an object is, the more energy it
takes to vibrate it. Eight inches of concrete is considered an excellent sound barrier.
Other sound barriers include walls constructed with non-standard methods (staggered
and double stud, resilient channels) that are expensive and prone to being ruined by
faulty construction.
Surprisingly many people hold serious misconceptions about how to create a sound
barrier.
Approach
Common misconception
Test results show…
Fill the wall with egg cartons
Will reduce noise by 10dB
No measurable effect
Put insulation in wall
Will fix everything
3-4dB reduction
Put mass loaded vinyl beneath
drywall
Will reduce noise by 27dB
2-3dB reduction per layer (at 1
lb/ft2)
Add another layer of drywall
Will stop the bass sounds
2dB reduction per layer
Use foam as a barrier
Regarded as a great barrier
Less than 3dB reduction
Use Homasote®*
Traditional method
3-4dB of reduction per layer
Sound absorbers reduce noise reflections (echoes or reverberations) within a space.
Sound absorbers are usually some kind of foam, fabric or other “fuzzy stuff”. Sound
absorbers reduce echo or reverberation in a room each time a sound wave hits it. Foam
panels and fabrics, placed on walls and ceilings, are popular for this, as they are
effective for reducing sound within a home theater. However, they rarely have much
sound reduction through them, so they do not make good barriers. Sound absorbers in
your home theater allow sound to be transmitted outside your room to adjacent rooms
or even to your neighbors’ homes.
Quiet Solution Technology
Quiet Solution has developed a viscoelastic polymer for use in “constrained layer
damping” to reduce noise transmission. Basically, the polymer isolates the face of the
wall from the studs, as if you built a room-within-a-room (only at a molecular level). The
viscoelastic polymer reduces the length and amount of vibration traveling across the
barrier.
This new sound isolation technology exploits the viscoelastic properties of polymeric
materials. Quiet Solution has formulated special compounds that are highly viscoelastic
(both viscous and elastic or resilient). When deformed by sound wave pressure – kinetic
* Homasote® is a registered
trademark of Homasote Company.
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
energy – the compound’s internal resistance lengthens the time before the material
returns to its normal shape. Within a range of temperatures and frequencies,
viscoelastic polymers can reduce noise and vibration by 10–20dB per layer or more.
Every 10dB of reduction is perceived as a reduction in volume of approximately 50%. If
your home theater gets to peaks around 100dB (which is quite loud) then a 20dB
reduction through a sound barrier becomes as loud as a telephone dial tone on the other
side.
There are two types of viscoelastic materials. Unconstrained layer damping is the
simplest way of introducing damping into a structure. The treatment consists of a layer
of damping material bonded to the surface of the sound-generating source. The coating
goes through tension/compression deformation, along with the bending of the metal,
resulting in dissipation of energy. The material is low cost, typically 1mm thick, and low
weight.
Constrained layer damping is among the most efficient ways of introducing damping
into a home theater. This requires the viscoelastic material to be placed between two
other rigid materials (such as plywood or drywall). It must also have adhesive qualities
to bond directly to both layers and work effectively.
Materials such as concrete or gypsum board have a certain amount of sound barrier
capability. This capability is mostly due to its mass (i.e. size and weight). But what about
applications where it would be impractical to use high mass materials? In these
situations, using constrained-layer damping rather than mass can yield excellent results.
As you’ll see below, a drywall or wood panel can achieve even higher STC Ratings than
a mass-loaded wall – with less material, less weight and less bulk.
There are a variety of techniques to reduce noise and vibration in a home theater or
media rooms. Most approaches rely on one of two principals: mass or viscoelasticity.
Both methods can be effective, depending on how much material you are willing to use.
The more the source can be treated, or isolated with airtight barriers treated with
viscoelastic or mass-loaded techniques, the opportunity to meet your needs for quiet are
enhanced.
In the next section, you’ll learn about the most modern and effective method on
the market to build a soundproof room – the Quiet Solution Home Theater
System.
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
3. The Quiet Solution Home Theater
System
Quiet Solution has assembled a line of products, which work in concert to give you an
unparalleled home theater experience, while preserving the level of quiet in spaces
adjacent to the home theater. The five products in the Home Theater System are
designed to perform far better than traditional approaches, while remaining low cost,
low weight, low bulk, and easy to install.
QuietRock™ - soundproof engineered panels for walls & ceilings
QuietWood™ - soundproof panels for sub-floors, exterior walls & booths
QuietSeal™ - soundproof acoustical sealant for joints & outlets
QuietGlue™ - soundproof polymer for applying drywall & wood to existing
walls
QuietCoat™ 118 soundproof coating for HVAC ducts & steel studs
These five elements are used throughout a home theater in conjunction with one
another to make up the Quiet Solution Home Theater System.
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
Using Quiet Solution Home Theater System Elements
A typical home theater installation using all five of the Quiet Solution Home Theater elements.
A. QuietRock for walls & ceilings
With the highest STC rating of any drywall product, the QuietRock product line
significantly reduces noise and sound entering or exiting a room, using standard
construction or over existing walls. QuietRock is a multi-layer acoustic isolation drywall
product. It is ideal for use in either new construction or in renovation projects.
QuietRock QR-520 Relief is fabricated using our viscoelastic adhesive QuietGlue, and is
available in a standard 4' x 8' panel (4' x 10' or 4' x 12' special order). It is ready to use
and can replace standard drywall or be installed over existing drywall. Walls and ceilings
can be easily constructed with STC ratings of 45–50 using QuietRock QR-520 Relief.
QuietRock QR-540 Solitude has all the features of QuietRock QR-520 Relief, but adds a
proprietary barrier layer and a second layer of QuietGlue. Using QuietRock QR-540
Solitude, walls and ceilings can be easily constructed with finished STC ratings from 48–
70+, depending on construction techniques.
B. QuietWood for floors & exterior walls
With the highest STC rating of any wood product, the QuietWood product line
significantly reduces unwanted noise and sounds entering or exiting from the home’s
floors, exterior walls or from adjacent rooms. QuietWood is a multi-layer product, and is
ideal for use in either existing or new construction.
QuietWood QW-620 Relief is fabricated using our QuietGlue viscoelastic adhesive, and is
available in standard 4' x 8' panels. It is ready-to-use, and can replace standard plywood
above ceilings, below floors or behind walls. Walls and floors can be easily constructed
with final STC ratings of 45-60 using QuietWood QW-620 Relief.
QuietWood QW-640 Solitude has all the features of QuietWood QW-620 Relief, but adds
a proprietary barrier layer and a second layer of QuietGlue. Using QuietWood QW-640
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
Solitude, walls and floors can be easily constructed with finished STC ratings from 5070+, depending on construction techniques.
C. QuietSeal for seams & junction boxes
Sound, like water, will travel through any available opening, we have developed
QuietSeal acoustical sealant to combat this common flaw in sound barriers. QuietSeal
helps your home theater maintain high STC values when used in conjunction with
QuietWood and QuietRock.
Use QuietSeal between panels, and to seal perimeter joints where the panels meet the
floor and ceiling. Also use QuietSeal around electrical, cable, telephone and speaker
outlet boxes. QuietSeal is easy to apply at normal working temperatures, and will
adhere well to all clean surfaces without priming. QuietSeal is highly resilient and can
therefore withstand movement normally encountered by partitions.
D. QuietCoat 118 for HVAC, steel studs & recessed lighting
Your sound system isn’t the only source of noise in your home theater. QuietCoat is an
unconstrained-layer damping product, meaning it can be applied to the exterior of
nearly anything to minimize noise and vibration.
QuietCoat has a broad functional temperature range, which makes it perfect for use on
HVAC ducts and lighting fixtures, where temperatures can reach extreme highs and
lows. This product is designed to minimize the interference from these necessary
building systems, while allowing you to enjoy the full, true sounds produced by your
home theater system. QuietCoat is less expensive, easier to apply, more effective,
thinner, and lighter than older sound and vibration damping technologies.
In new construction, using metal studs improves the acoustic damping provided by the
wall frame itself. However, low frequency exterior noise can actually vibrate an entire
wall. By applying QuietCoat to the steel studs, a few additional STC rating points can be
achieved.
E. QuietGlue for walls, ceilings and floors
For use as an extra layer of sound damping between QuietRock and the studs in your
walls or between QuietRock and your existing wall, or between your own ply/drywall for
an economical homeowner.
In the next section, you’ll learn about various construction methods to help you
achieve the STC rating you want. This decision is the most important one you,
your architect, designer or builder needs to make.
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
4. Methods to Achieve the STC Rating You
Want
Wood Stud Summary
The table below summarizes the results you can expect from using the different
construction techniques outlined above with wood studs. Select the one that most
closely matches your goals and budget.
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
Summary of dB Loss Using Various Techniques Using Wood Studs
STC
% Noise Reduction
versus standard wall
(perceived volume)
Standard Interior Wall with 5/8" drywall both sides with insulation (baseline)
34
0
Add QuietGlue + Drywall to 1-side
45
53%
Add QuietGlue + Drywall to 2-sides
47
59%
Add QuietGlue + QuietRock Relief to 1-side
48
62%
Add QuietGlue + QuietRock to 2-sides
53
73%
Add QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude to 1-side
54
75%
Add QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude to 2-sides
60
83%
Construction Technique
Over Existing Wall
New Construction (standard 2x4 16" OC wood frame with acoustic sealant and no insulation)
Drywall + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock
46
56%
QuietRock + QuietGlue + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock
49
64%
Drywall + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude
48
62%
QuietRock Solitude + QuietGlue + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude
54
75%
New Construction (standard 2x4 16" OC wood frame with R-13 insulation and acoustic sealant)
Drywall + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock
49
64%
QuietRock + QuietGlue + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock
51
69%
Drywall + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude
52
71%
QuietRock Solitude + QuietGlue + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude
58
81%
New Construction (staggered stud wood frame with R-13 insulation and acoustic sealant)
Drywall + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock
50
67%
QuietRock + QuietGlue + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock
55
76%
Drywall + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude
57
79%
QuietRock Solitude + QuietGlue + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude
62
85%
New Construction (double stud wood frame with R-13 insulation and acoustic sealant)
Drywall + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock
54
75%
QuietRock + QuietGlue + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock
59
82%
Drywall + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude
61
84%
QuietRock Solitude + QuietGlue + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude
66
89%
New Construction (double stud wood frame, R-13 insulation, acoustic sealant, Resilient Channel, Sound Clips)
Drywall + Frame + channel/clips + QuietRock
62
85%
QuietRock + channel/clips + Frame + channel/clips + QuietRock
67
89%
Drywall + Frame + channel/clips + QuietRock Solitude
69
91%
QuietRock Solitude + channel/clips + Frame + channel/clips + QuietRock Solitude
72
93%
Source: Quiet Solution conducts continuous rigorous testing of its products using high-quality independent test labs that use industry-standard
testing procedures and techniques. Some of the above combinations have been verified by Western Electro-Acoustical Labs (Santa Clarita, CA)
using ASTM E-90 and E-413 specifications for STC testing. Copies of test reports are available separately.
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
Steel Stud Summary
If you have a choice, always go with steel stud construction (25 gauge, 24" on center, R13 fiberglass batt). You can get an extra 6 STC rating points above wood stud
construction (16" on center, no insulation).
The table below summarizes the results you can expect from using the different
construction techniques outlined above with steel studs. Select the one that most closely
matches your goals and budget.
Summary of dB Loss Using Various Techniques Using Steel Studs
Construction Technique
STC
% Noise Reduction
(perceived volume)
Std Interior Wall - 5/8" drywall both sides + R13 on 3.5" steel studs (baseline)
45
0
New Construction (3.5” with 24" OC steel studs with R-13 insulation and acoustic sealant)
Drywall + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock
53
42%
QuietRock + QuietGlue + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock
57
56%
Drywall + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude
56
53%
QuietRock Solitude + QuietGlue + Frame + QuietGlue + QuietRock Solitude
60
64%
Source: Standard interior wall on steel studs, STC data provided by National Research Council of Canada, Publication IRC-IR-761
Competitive Comparisons
In the past, older technologies utilizing fiberboard (such as Homasote®*) or vinyl barriers
have been used to gain marginal improvement in STC values. It is important to note that
STC values of materials do not add up. That is, adding a 27-STC-vinyl barrier to a wall
that has an STC of 34 does not result in an STC of 61 (actually, it only raises the STC of
the final assembly by 3-4dB, or 6dB if used on both sides of the wall). The table below
summarizes the results you can expect from using various techniques.
* Homasote® is a registered
trademark of Homasote Company.
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
STC Comparison
Construction Method - 2x4 wood studs, 16" OC, R13, with:
STC
5/8" Drywall both sides
34
Note 4
Double 1/2" Drywall on both sides
38
Note 4
1lb Vinyl under 5/8" drywall both sides
40
Note 3
Resilient Channel 24" OC, ½" drywall
43
Note 4
Homasote * under 5/8" drywall both sides
45
Note 1
QuietRock Solitude both sides
58
Note 5
Construction Method - 8" Cinder Block Wall
43
Note 2
5/8" Drywall both sides
45
Note 4
Resilient Channel 24" OC, ½" drywall
49
Note 4
Homasote * under 5/8" drywall both sides
51
Note 1
QuietRock Solitude both sides
62
Note 5
®
Construction Method – 3.5" steel studs, 24" OC, R13, with:
®
®
Note 1: STC data provided by Homasote *, Note 2: STC data provided by Schundler Corp., Note 3: STC data provided by mass calculation, Note 4:
STC data provided by National Research Council of Canada IRC-IR-761, Note 5: STC data provided by interpolation from independent lab testing at
Western Electro Acoustic Labs
In the next section, you’ll learn about various construction methods to help you
achieve the STC rating you want. This decision is the most important one you
need to make with your architect, designer or builder.
* Homasote® is a registered
trademark of Homasote Company.
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
5. How to Apply Quiet Solution Products
A. QuietRock Panels
Using QuietRock in New Wall Construction
1.
Choose your preferred construction method, such as standard 16" OC, staggered, or
double frame. QuietRock works with wood and steel framing.
2.
Just prior to attaching QuietRock to the studs, brush a layer of QuietGlue onto the
outside edge of the studs. The glue will form a layer between the stud and the
QuietRock, thus providing another viscoelastic sound and vibration barrier.
3.
Attach QuietRock to the studs using #6 or #7 Bugle Head 2½" drywall screws. Use
coarse thread for wood studs and fine thread for steel studs. Hold the panel in place
until at least four screws are set.
4.
Seal each seam between panels, at floor and ceiling, and around electrical boxes
with QuietSeal. Be sure that the QuietSeal is set deep into the seams to enable
normal applications of tape and texture. QuietSeal will remain viscoelastic, i.e. not
dry.
5.
Tape, texture, paint or wallpaper as normal.
Using QuietRock in Existing Wall Construction
QuietRock can also be used directly over existing drywall construction without removing
the original drywall. Follow the instructions below for this application:
1.
Just prior to attaching QuietRock to the studs, brush a layer of QuietGlue onto the
outside edge of the studs. The glue will be form a layer between the old wall and the
QuietRock, thus providing another viscoelastic sound and vibration barrier.
2.
Attach QuietRock to the studs using #8 or #10 Bugle Head 3½" drywall screws (use
coarse thread for wood studs and fine thread for steel studs). Hold the panel in place
until at least four screws are set.
3.
Seal each seam between panels, at floor and ceiling, and around electrical boxes
with QuietSeal. Be sure that the QuietSeal is set deep into the seams to enable
normal applications of tape and texture. QuietSeal remains viscoelastic by never
fully drying. Although it will not drip or run, it remains soft to the touch.
4.
Tape, texture, paint or wallpaper as normal.
Using QuietRock in Ceiling Construction
We recommend that you increase the number of screws by a factor of 2x when applying
QuietRock to a ceiling. This accommodates the double thickness and additional weight.
Cure Time: QuietGlue requires 24 hours to dry, after which the full sound damping
capability of your new wall or ceiling will be achieved.
B. QuietWood Panels
1.
Choose your preferred construction method, such as standard 16" OC, staggered, or
double frame. QuietWood works with wood and steel framing.
2.
Just prior to attaching QuietWood to the studs, brush a layer of QuietGlue onto the
outside edge of the studs. The glue will be form a layer between the stud and the
QuietWood, thus providing another viscoelastic sound and vibration barrier.
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
3.
Attach QuietWood to the studs using 2½" nails or strapping or fasteners as required
for shear wall construction.
4.
Seal each seam between panels, at floor and ceiling, and around electrical boxes
with QuietSeal. Be sure that the QuietSeal is set deep into the seams to enable
normal applications of tape and texture. QuietSeal will remain viscoelastic, i.e. not
dry.
5.
Finish with stucco or drywall as normal.
C. QuietSeal Tubes
QuietSeal extrudes easily at normal working temperatures by hand or power gun and
will adhere well to all clean concrete, gypsum, plaster, steel, wood and aluminum
surfaces without priming. It is of the consistency of clay and designed to preserver the
designed STC values. QuietSeal is highly resilient and can therefore withstand any
amount of movement normally encountered in partitions. Be sure that the QuietSeal is
set deep into the seams to enable normal applications of tape and texture. QuietSeal will
remain viscoelastic, i.e. not dry.
D. QuietCoat 118
You can apply QuietCoat using brush, roller or spray. They are equally effective.
Damping ability of the material is un-affected by application method. The goal is to
apply one or more coats that accumulate to 1-3mm.
Drying & Curing Time: Being water based, QuietCoat needs to dry by evaporation during
the cure cycle. QuietCoat that has been thinned excessively will take longer to dry. Water
will evaporate more readily when the following conditions exist: higher temperature,
increased air circulation, lowered relative humidity. These conditions along with layer
thickness contribute to drying time. Thicker layers require longer drying times.
Application of second or successive coats require the previous one to be dry, therefore
the goal normally will be to apply as much QuietCoat as possible in each coat keeping in
mind the effect on drying time.
Typically, apply the first coat and wait four hours for it to become tack-free. Then, apply
a second coat if you wish, and wait four hours for it to become tack-free. Then, if you
wish, you may apply a third coat. Thicker coverage and more coverage greatly enhance
the noise and vibration absorption properties.
Development Time: After QuietCoat is applied, it will take up to one week to develop
fully and obtain its maximum noise absorption properties. While you can use the treated
surface a few hours after the last coat, the vibration absorbing properties will continue
to get better for up to one week after the final coat is applied.
QuietCoat is water based and can be treated the same as any water-based latex paint.
Keep a bucket of warm soapy water handy. If you mistakenly brush, roller or spray
material where you don’t want it, just wipe it off. It takes QuietCoat at least 20 minutes to
get tacky, but the quicker you wipe it off the better.
E. QuietGlue
The materials QuietGlue is used with include drywall, plywood, metal, various woods.
As long as at least one of the materials is porous, QuietGlue can be used, typically
adding 15 to 20dB of sound isolation.
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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Soundproofing Home Theaters & Media Rooms
1.
Make sure the wood/drywall or other surfaces are clean and free of loose fibers like
sawdust.
2.
Using a trowel, roller (preferred), or brush and coat the entire top of the first panel
of wood (or wall) with QuietGlue. Go all the way to the edge. You can coat existing
walls in this way as well, as QuietGlue is thick enough to stay on.
3.
Final coating thickness should be about 1/16th of an inch.
4.
Once coated, place the other panel on top of the panel with the QuietGlue within 10
minutes. Get the air bubbles out and ensure a good bond. Be careful as the boards
may slide on one another.
5.
Insert drywall or wood screws along the edge about every 12 inches to prevent the
edges from pulling apart as the glue dries. You may be able to remove the screws
later. Instead of screws, you can use C-clamps on the corners and weights in the
middle if the panels are lying down.
6.
Cure time is 24 hours. Tack-free time is 1-2 hours. Cleanup is with soap and water.
7.
Once cured, you may cut, route, drill, and put screws through the wood. Anything
you would have done with a single piece.
QuietGlue can be used with any type of wood. It can even glue different types of wood
or different thicknesses of wood together. It will also work with only one surface as
wood.
For example, you could glue wood pieces to panel metal to damp either material
effectively. After a full cure, QuietGlue is a very strong glue since it’s quite flexible.
Acoustical & Architectural Technical Support
If you have any questions during installation, Quiet Solution’s staff of professional
consultants will be happy to offer guidance. Contact our architectural consultant or our
acoustical engineer at 408-523-4000.
Architects, home theater designers, builders: send us your AutoCAD drawings. We will
analyze the STC goals and help specify a bill of materials
Resources
Building a home theater involves some important decisions. A great place to start your
search for a home theater contractor is with industry organizations:
HTSA - Home Theater Specialists of America: www.htsa.com
CEDIA - Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association: www.cedia.org
Various specialist home contractors can help you construct an appropriate quiet
environment for your home theater. They design acoustically optimized home theaters,
media rooms and precision listening environments and are familiar with the Quiet
Solution Home Theater System:
Audio One
Charles Salter & Associates
Keith Yates
Mody & Mody
www.audio-one.com
www.cmsalter.com
www.keithyates.com
www.hometheaterstore.com
Our architectural and acoustical consultants are available to help you.
[email protected]
©2004 Quiet Solution, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending. Rev051804
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